“We are deeply disappointed by reports that the Interior Department is set to exclude the Atlantic from the 2017-22 Five Year Plan and completely ignore the strong support for offshore development expressed by the Governors, legislators, stakeholders and public from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

“By removing the entire proposed Atlantic leasing area, the administration has failed to present a serious offshore plan that will help meet our energy needs over the coming decades.

“The exclusion also guarantees that domestic energy policy will be a major issue in the presidential election, and underscores the critical need for the nominees of both parties to bring forward thoughtful, intellectually serious energy policies that will secure the nation’s long-term energy, economic, and national security.

“The domestic energy revolution has provided a major boost to the American economy and consumer pocketbooks, while fundamentally transforming the global geopolitical landscape to the benefit of U.S. national security. At the same time, thanks to continuing improvements in technology, practices, and oversight, the United States has demonstrated that offshore energy development and environmental stewardship can and do coexist.

“Today’s decision threatens to prematurely and unnecessarily halt this revolution. Thankfully, the next administration will soon have an opportunity to consider the long-term implications of today’s decision — and the public and state support that exists for offshore development — and reverse course toward a more responsible approach.”

On Friday, Consumer Energy Alliance delivered nearly 8,500 consumer letters urging Interior to maintain the Mid- and South Atlantic and Alaska in the Proposed Program, and released an analysis underscoring support for domestic offshore development by voters in the Mid- and South Atlantic states and Alaska.